Swazi Observer

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SUSPENSION OF 25 UNISWA STUDENTS LIFTED

By Sifiso Nhlabatsi | 2018-03-20

IN what will come as good news to students and parents, the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) has uplifted the suspension of 25 students who were suspended early this year following a class boycott which took place in the institution’s three campuses.

Allegations are to the effect that the students were suspended on suspicions that they took part in the class boycott which was deemed illegal by the institution. After spending weeks at home the students who include SRC members have been recalled by the university.

Information shared to this publication is to the effect that students were merely informed that the suspension was lifted and they can come back to class.

It is alleged that no explanation was given as to why the students were finally recalled or why they were suspended in the first place. The decision to lift the suspension comes after the senate met to deliberate on the issue.

Last Friday, SRC Secretary General Sanelisiwe Nxumalo informed students that council and senate had met to deliberate on the issue and the enquiry was over and all that was left was for the senate to make a decision on the fate of the suspended students.

Yesterday the suspended students were informed of the good news that they could now go back to campus.

UNISWA Registrar Dr Salebona Simelane confirmed that indeed the suspension has been lifted. Simelane said he cannot dwell much on the merits of the issue save to say that the suspension has been lifted and students can go back to class.

Ever since the decision to suspend students the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) has been on the university’s tail demanding that the suspension be uplifted.

The reason for SNUS to call for the upliftment was that the university suspended students on unfounded allegations.

Decision

When SNUS President Brian Sangweni was called for comment he applauded the decision by the university, saying it was wrong in the first place for the university to suspend students. He said the nature of the suspension was such that there were no clear charges.

He said the university was intimidating students so that they cannot talk about issues affecting them in future. The president said the university must consider that the suspended students have lost so much time in terms of their work hence they must be afforded enough time to prepare for assignments and tests.

Condemned

Sangweni said as SNUS they condemned the act of suspending students without valid reasons. He said students have a right to voice out their concerns when their rights are infringed by the university.

He said throughout the world it is normal for students to engage in class boycotts whenever they have grievances, adding that it is not like it is the UNISWA students only who behave in such a manner.

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